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Israel-Nepal joint stamp issue

What is common
to the Dead Sea and Mount Everest? After 52 years of diplomacy, Israel and Nepal
issued a joint stamp - The Highest and Lowest Places on Earth.

The Dead Sea - Mt. Everst - Joint Issue Israel NepalCopyright: MFA

Photo: MFA

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After 52 years of diplomacy, Israel and Nepal issued a joint stamp, expressing the fruitful cooperation between the
two countries in many fields. The stamp is dedicated to the lowest place on
earth - the Dead Sea - and the highest - Mount Everest.

As customary in the case of a joint issue, the stamp was issued on the same
day - Tuesday, September 4, 2012 - in both countries. In Israel, a festive
ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the participation of
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, Chairman of the Israel Postal Service
Sassi Shilo, Nepalese Ambassador to Israel H.E. Prahlad Kumar Prasai, MK Rachel
Adatto, and Director of the Israel Philatelic Service Yaron Ratzon.

Israel and Nepal established full diplomatic relations in 1960. The Prime
Ministers at the time were David Ben Gurion of Israel and B.P. Koirala of Nepal.
Nepal was among the first Asian countries to establish relations with Israel.
Over the years, the two countries have created a diverse network of cooperation
and close ties in various areas.

Nepal is located in the Himalaya Mountains and includes Mt. Everest - the
earth's highest mountain, and Israel is home to the lowest place on earth - the
Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea, 422 meters below sea level, the lowest place on
earthThe Dead Sea is a salt lake located in eastern Israel. The
Kingdom of Jordan lies on its eastern border. The Dead Sea - a national and
worldwide natural treasure - is the largest spa in the world, drawing tourists
and extreme sports fans. The Dead Sea’s hypersalinity provides a unique floating
experience and the health benefits of the minerals found in its water and mud,
are immense. It is a breathtakingly beautiful area which includes wadis, cliffs
and an extraordinary zoological and botanical population. The Dead Sea and the
surrounding area have great religious and historic significance and represent a
turbulent chapter in the history of Israel.

Mt. Everest, 8,848 meters above sea level, the highest place on
earthMt. Everest is located in the eastern portion of the Himalaya
Mountains, on the border between Nepal and China. Most of the mountain lies in
Tibet, which is part of China, while the southern portion is located within the
borders of the Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal.On May 29, 1953 New
Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first
climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mt. Everest. Mt. Everest, as
well as Nepal’s other mountain ranges, make it a popular tourist
destination.